Wavebox- What am I doing wrong?

GarrettT · May 19, 2023

Recently posted this in the DIY forum, but got little traction, so thought I would post it on here. Yesterday I made a wavebox out of 1/8 acrylic and a Tunze 6105 pump. When I put it in action, it would only functionally operate at 20% pulsing at 2sec on, 2 sec off. It accomplishes it objective, but at a very weak output. I made the box12''H x 5.5'' W 5'' D, which is similar to Tunze's 6214 wavebox. The pump was flipped upside down to reduce air from getting sucked in, which again is similar to Tunze's design. Other than a box capacity issue I dont see how the wavebox could handle the amount of flow that I'm wanting to create an optimal wave. Am I missing something? 20% output on a 6105 pump seems awfully weak for a wavebox. 54”x33”x25” tank.

May 18, 2023

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MarineandReef Jaron · May 19, 2023

I am a big wave box fan and I find that the timing has far more to do with dialing in the wave than the speed. I think the timing may not be perfect for your tank. Dialing in the wave has become difficult since Tunze switched to the integrated controller and I think this is your major issue.

GarrettT · May 19, 2023

MarineandReef Jaron said:
Dialing in the wave has become difficult since Tunze switched to the integrated controller and I think this is your major issue.

As in needing it to pulsate more frequently <2sec?

jda · May 19, 2023

Do you have the tunze wave controller? My pumps are on 100% and I just move the wave controller slowly until the wave is where I want it. You have to set the controller on the pump to external control - they don't do waves.

2 seconds on and then off seems like a lot to me.

The Tunze 7092 is what you want.

Edit: a box like that and the 6105 can probably splash water out of that tank once you get the right timing. You will know when it is working.

MarineandReef Jaron · May 19, 2023

jda said:
Do you have the tunze wave controller? My pumps are on 100% and I just move the wave controller slowly until the wave is where I want it. You have to set the controller on the pump to external control - they don't do waves.

2 seconds on and then off seems like a lot to me.

The Tunze 7092 is what you want.

The new waveboxes no longer ship with the wave controller so you have to use the pump controller which is a nightmare.

GarrettT · May 19, 2023

jda said:
Do you have the tunze wave controller? My pumps are on 100% and I just move the wave controller slowly until the wave is where I want it. You have to set the controller on the pump to external control - they don't do waves.

2 seconds on and then off seems like a lot to me.

The Tunze 7092 is what you want.

Edit: a box like that and the 6105 can probably splash water out of that tank once you get the right timing. You will know when it is working.

I’ve read in the past where you thought wavebox’s weren’t ideal for short and cube style aquariums. Do you think 54” is long enough for a wavebox to be effective? Given the 33” depth, do you think I’d need two to get an effective wave? I understand it’s hard to give a true answer to this, but if you had to “guess” given prior experiences.
Really just wondering if the added purchase of a controller would be worth my while or a waste.

jda · May 19, 2023

I do think that it will work. I have used them on 36 inch tanks. They did not work well for me on 24x24x24 60 gallon cubes, and tanks like that.

If you ever see 6100s or the older 6015s without the built-in controller, these are great wavebox pumps since you need the wave controller anyway. I snatch them up and inventory them - they are usually cheap.

My snails like to climb in. I would put the screen on there.

MarineandReef Jaron · May 19, 2023

I have used wave boxes in 3 and 4 ft tanks without issue so I don't think the tank dimensions is the problem.

ISpeakForTheSeas · May 20, 2023

I don't know if this would be helpful for you here or not, but:

Minhaj Qazi said:
Hi Reefers. Its been few weeks i was Searching for some details on a DIY Wave Box , but couldnt find simple detailed making procedure specially on youtube or r2r. Therefore I decided to Try to make one myself with Hit and Trial and It Worked Wonderfully. Here are some details
1. Using a Used Jebao SW-15 Wave Maker which has its own Controller therefore no exclusive controller is needed.
2. All You need is a , minimum SW-15 powered wave-maker as smaller will not work as i experienced with RW-4 etc>
3. A simple 4x4x11 Acrylic is needed to cut , Glue and make a Wave Box>
4. You can Find Detailed Video on Youtube at my Youtube Channel " MQReef " or Full Make Video at Link
5. Search Youtube for DIY Wave Box in Reef Tank
6. I Admire Jebao for making such a powerful pump and budget option for us.

GarrettT · May 23, 2023

My wave is kinda weird. The crossing corners rise and fall together rather than left to right. Is that usual? Just wanting to make sure it’s dialed in right?

MarineandReef Jaron · May 23, 2023

Looks like you don't quite have the timing right. When I have this it is normally too fast of a pulse.

GarrettT · May 23, 2023

MarineandReef Jaron said:
Looks like you don't quite have the timing right. When I have this it is normally too fast of a pulse.

Hm.. any longer and bubbles start shooting out. I see what you mean regarding the pump controller now. The auto adjust feature really does make things more difficult.

MarineandReef Jaron · May 23, 2023

When I dial in the wave with the auto adjust I normally get this half wave like you have first and then get the more normal complete wave that you are used to seeing a bit later as the pulses slow down.